# M12242 - 2009 Db13000-45000 International Moon Missions, Mint, Sheet of 4 Stamps, St. Thomas & Prince Islands

Mint Stamps Honor
Missions to the Moon

Issued in 2009, this mint stamp sheet honors US, Soviet, and Japanese efforts to explore the Moon.  It pictures:

LRO (Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter) – Launched in 2009, the LRO has been mapping the Moon to help aid in the planning of future missions tjere.  It will be used to identify safe landing sites, locate possible resources, and study radiation.

LCross (Lunar Crater Observation and Sensing Satellite) – Launched along with the LRO in 2009, the LCross went to the Moon to explore the presence of water ice on the poles. 

Lunokhod 1 – Launched in 1970, it was the first of two Soviet lunar rovers landed on the Moon.  Lunokhod 1 was the first remote-controlled rover to freely explore a surface outside of the Earth. 

Hiten, also known as the Celestial Maiden – Japan’s first lunar probe, launched in 1990.

Apollo 15 – the ninth US manned mission to the Moon and the fourth to land there.  It was the first in a series of long stays on the Moon and the first to use the Lunar Roving Vehicle. 

There’s lots of history packed into this neat sheet – order yours today.